The chilly night air brushed the silvery strands on Moulin's forehead while the warm candlelight glazed over his smooth, pale skin. Moulin sighs when a warm hand tenderly cradles his cheek.
"It's late..." Moulin whispers to Hadrian, who sat beside him. The mattress dips from their weight.
"The eting took longer than I thought." The High Lord reasons. His hair had beco loose. A bit damp.
Moulin assessed his lover's features ticulously. He must have hurried here after a bath. The man didn't even bother to fully dry his hair.
With a faint smile, Moulin stood up to fetch a dry towel. He orders Hadrian to sit still while he stood in front of him to dry his hair. The soft towel rubs gently on the older man's scalp, making sure to absorb the last bit of moisture. The setting feels dostic and humble. Like a wife caring for her unruly husband in their ordinary ho.
"More like looking after a child," Moulin mutters unconciously.
Hadrian abruptly t Moulin's gaze, startling the youth. Moulin imdiately looked away and continued to work.
When he was finished, the pair sat for a bit. Moulin was pulled to nestle in the High Lord's warm embrace. He could do nothing but sigh and try to make himself comfortable.
"How is your health..." Moulin asked while gazing at the window. Concern filled his expression.
"Colahn has been observing and maintaining the equilibrium of my emotions. While it may not be as effective as having you in close to , it is acceptable. "Hadrian responded honestly. "I am well."
"That is good. I haven't been able to check on you for a while." Moulin sighed with a hint of weariness.
"Have you been good?"
Moulin rolls his eyes. "I have been excellent. I've been under watchful eyes, subjected to examinations, and have conducted myself like a dutiful child."
A resonant laughter reached his ears, and Moulin could sense the vibrations emanating from Hadrian's noble chest.
"Good boy. Would you like a reward?"
A deep flush filled the youth's face. He looked adorable and bright like a blooming pink peony. A wrinkle appear between his brows and he abruptly turned and faced the man.
"Don't try ." Moulin hissed.
Hadrian blinked and nodded, amused.
"I have received word that your mother has regained consciousness."
Moulin turned back and nodded with a sigh. His thoughts drifted to the tender mont he had eith his mother and elder brother. "She has. She's been sleeping for a long ti and the healers told she would be drowsy for a few more days. Unfortunately, my father hasn't awoken... "
"He will co in ti. Let's be patient."
A reassuring hand gently caressed Moulin's head. Moulin nodded, allowing his mind to relax.
It didn't take long for them fall into bed. Moulin nestled in Hadrian's embrace, savoring the warmth emanating from the man's strong body. He slled wonderful, almost making Moulin sleepy.
"What did you talk about in the assembly?" Moulin spoke. His silver eyes searched Hadrian's golden ones.
A solemn expression graced the High lord's impeccable face. He held Moulin close, and breathed into his soft silver hair before responding.
"We have decided to relocate you to a safer base. One the demons will not reach." He got straight to the point. His voice deepened gradually.
Moulin stilled the mont the last of his words fell into his ears. "I'm going to be taken away?"
Before Hadrian could speak, he continued with a trembling breath. "Where will I be taken? And why? My mother has only just regained consciousness. I cannot abandon them."
Hadrian stroke his slender back. The man's eyes, a shade of golden intensity, revealed determination. A touch of empathy softened his features. He knew there would be resistance from the youth.
Within Moulin's contemplative mind, gears began to creak and turn. Why should he leave? Why shouldn't he leave? He knew if demons were to co after him here they would inevitably target the citizens. Just like how they threatened the orphanage. The relentless pursuit would not cease until he yielded, causing unrest among the people.
But if he were to leave...
Wouldn't everyone be safer?
Moulin's heart clenched. He wouldn't be able to et his family and friends as much as he could before. Perhaps, he wouldn't be able to see them at all.
And...
Moulin's gaze lifted. He t Hadrian's soft gaze. Those pair of magnetic pools of gold. Sothing broke inside him.
Feeling the urgency in his emotions, the Noble High Lord cast a resigned smile. He leaned in, bestowing a kiss upon the youth's lips. In that mont, a surge of emotion erupted within Moulin's chest. He wrapped his arms around Hadrian's neck and pulled him closer. His mouth parted, deepening the kiss.
Hadrian responded by pulling him closer, seeking to soothe Moulin with the gentle caress of his tongue. A faint whimper escaped the youth.
The High lord spoke against the youth's plump lips. "I will not leave you."
Moulin hesitated, his heart racing. "You will co with ?"
"Whever you go, I will go." It was spoken like an oath.
The High lord's fingers reached to brush away the stray strands of silver sticking on the youth's forehead. "It will be alright. We are fortifying the stronghold. Many of Helios's sentinels will co with us and you may encounter familiar faces. The news will be brought publicly tomorrow."
Moulin pursed his lips, "When will we depart?"
"In a week..." Hadrian responded.
"And... Where?"
The High Lord pulled him closer into his embrace. His voice sounded as though he was lulling Moulin to sleep.
"The Leonile Stronghold..."
...
The news was announced at midday and pulled a roar of commotion from the sentinel ranks. Yet, the intricacies of Moulin's relocation were veiled from public scrutiny, leaving only the details about the gathering of soldiers to the new territory. The lords and clan leaders were adamant in sending so of their best soldiers to the new stronghold.
Nonetheless, the High Lord proclaid that only those who volunteered, aware of the risks and willingness to separate with their friends and families would be allowed to join. Furthermore, the benefits were quite attractive.
Lord Moulin was to be transfered away from the city and the place wasn't disclosed to the public. Skepticism took root among the populace. While so were acquainted with the influential silver-eyed lord, others remained in ignorance. Was it a punishnt? It couldn't be. What had he done to be shipped away along with a thousand soldiers?
"Do you think its because of the White Forest? Consider this: no one possessed the ability to fashion sothing solely from mana—especially an entity so pure and large that it repelled both malibreeds and demons. What if he's drawing the attention of demons and malefics due to this remarkable achievent?"
"Your imagination is quite wild, my friend. But, I believe he's facing consequences."
"Isn't it stupid to exile him along with a thousand lives? If the intent is truly punishnt, they should extract his internal core and banish him from the city without imperiling the lives of soldiers, you fool."
Ghana walked silently as the two soldiers bickered towards her. Both of them shut their mouths and increased their pace the mont Ghana's gaze fell pon them.
When they passed her, she sighed helplessly. What a ss.
The grand doors to a spacious chamber within the healer's ward swung open. Ghana entered with long strides and her gaze focused on the two people within the room. Jagra was busy teaching Erthyl, the half-blind Aphrodite, on how to read from an old storybook.
"Hm, so you still have enough energy to entertain children." Ghana remarked with a sneer as she took a seat beside the bed.
Erthyl flinched under her gaze. Tendrils of his soft hair cascaded over the white eye-patch concealing his impaired eye. He lowered his head, clutching the book firmly. Observing Erthyl's reaction, Jagra frowned at Ghana and motioned for the boy to step outside. Obediently, Erthyl nodded, leaving the room while cradling the book in his arms.
Disregarding Jagra's disapproving countenance, Ghana shook his head and addressed him. "Have you heard of the news?"
Pale and weary, Jagra sighed and leaned back against the headboard. He nods.
"Then you must be aware that you will be coming with us."
He served as the vessel wherein Gaile housed crucial intelligence about the demon's stronghold. Of course, he was going with or wihtout his consent. At the thought of that damn man, Jagra couldn't help but harbor a sense of betrayal.
Then the mage's eyes widened slightly. He t his friend's gaze. "You're going as well?"
Ghana shrugged. "My only family will be taken away. Of course, I'll join them."
The man lying in bed blinked pensively as he observed. Subsequently, his eyes softened, and a sense of warmth blossod within him as he tightly clenched his fists.
He chuckled, "Are you sure it isn't because you'll feel lonely when we're gone?"
"Whose feeling lonely?!" Ghana huffed. "And I'll have you know that Pola will be staying here so at least, I'll have a peace of mind knowing that she'll be safe."
"That is a relief." Jagra nodded. "And... any news about Moulin?"
Ghana paused. She silently glanced at him before replying. "None since I last saw him. Access to his chambers was denied to . However, I did hear news of his mother awakening just yesterday."
"She's awake?" Jagra's eyes widened in astonishnt.
"His father hasn't. I don't know when he will awaken. However, he probably won't be there to see him wake. Moulin will be confined. The place we'll be sent to... We will find out when we get there." Ghana shook her head, and cascading platinum strands spilled over her shoulders.
"Oh, what about the kid?" Ghana tilted her head towards the door.
"Erthyl?"
"Yes, who would look after him? Do you want him to stay with the other children in the orphanage?"
"No," Jagra replied with a firm shake of his head. "I requested Sir Colahn to look after him..."
A laugh broke from the female sentinel. She looked at him in disbelief. "Are you serious? Do you know how bad he is with children? A proud seer like him would rather be exiled than look after children."
"He will manage..." Jagra's expression fell as he stared at the amused woman.
While the two continued to converse, a pair of little hands clutched an old story book tighter. The lonely child stared at the door as the words from behind it continued to overflow into his ears.
Moulin... confined...
His little lips trembled and moisture began to buildup in his uncovered eye. But before he could shed a tear, he rubbed his eye and took a breath. A faint sense of determination filled him.
...
"Why have you beco so silent?" Lady Klaria asked before removing her fingers from the silver-eyed youth's wrists, concluding the end of her examination. Cloaked in flowing and refined attire, she presented an image reminiscent of a water fairy.
She gazed at the beautiful young man before her who was gently masssaging his pale wrists. The young man wore more lighter clothing and a languid aura surrounded him. His silver hair flowed down his chest in shimring waves. Lord Fraunces, in his youthful beauty, appeared undeniably striking and, one might say, lazy.
However, his expression said otherwise.
Moulin expressionlesly glanced at Sir Ordan and Lady Tessley who were quietly observing them from the far end of the room before returning his gaze to the High Lord before her.
"My Lady, after all these visits, I am intrigued by what revelations you have unearthed and how they might serve your purpose. Tell . Will you use your findings when i am to be sent away from Helios?" Moulin asked as he leaned back on the couch.
A blaze flickered in his gaze, a potential spark on the verge of ignition. The poor man must be feeling so constricted these days.
Lady Klaria raised a fine brow. Emitting a faint hum before sweeping her hair back over her shoulder. Leaning forward, she remarked, "You inquisitive thing. Well, since you have been so good, I shall give you a hint."
A hint? Moulin's brows are drawn together as he waited in anticipation.
Her lips are smiling in amusent. It almost looked hypnotic. She chuckled at Moulin' silent reaction and raised a hand in the air to spread her mana to enclose the both of them. However, it only worked for a brief mont.
Within that short ti, she spoke.
"Clamshell..."
Then the magic was gone. Tessley and Ordan tensed when they sensed a shift in the air for a second.
"A what-"
Before Moulin could finish his words, Lady Klaria stood up. The silks of her skirt fluttered.
"I shall visit again in two days, Darling." With those words she left the room with a chuckle.
Tessley narrowed her eyes suspsiciously while staring at the door. "What was that?"
Ordan kept to his thoughts. Moulin could almost hear the gears of his mind cranking.
With a sigh, turned away and gazed at the open balcony. The transluscent curtains fluttered elegantly with the breeze. For a mont, he wished he was a bird and fly into the window of his mother's bedroom.
In a matter of days, he shall be separated from her once again.
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